Casting ladle



July 7, 1931.

F. G. CARRINGTON CASTING LADLE Filed June 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MmmmWW .Mmmm Q 3@ .1MM 1M m July 7, 1931. l F. G. CARRINGTC |-Jy 1,813,381

CASTING LADLE Filed June 8. 1928 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f//f//l/ futon/,110

Patented `luly 7i, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE 'FRANK G.CARRINGTON, OF'ANNISTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR T0 FERRIC ENGINEER- INGCOMPANY, 0F ANNISTON, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CASTING LADLEApplication led June 8, 1928. Serial No. 283,863.

This invention relates to a container, and more particularlyhasreference to a ladlein a centrifugal casting apparatus.

In the casting of annular objects\by the 5 centrifugal process, moltenmetal is introduced into a rotating mold. The centrifugal forcegenerated by the rotation of the mold serves to maintain upon the innersurface of the mold the metal that impinges thereon.

Three general types of operation are usually employed. In the firsttype, molten metal is oured just Within one end of the mold, and) themold so manipulated that the metal is distributed within the mold asdesired. A mold of comparatively low heat conductivity is required forthis process, in vorder that the contained heat of the molten metal Willnot be absorbed and carried off by the mold. l,

In the second type of operation, metal is poured over the side of aso-called dump trough which extends substantially the length of themold. The trough is rotated and the metal is deposited in a sheet-likeformation the length of the dump trough. Such a mold provides for' amore uniform longitudinal distribution of the metal in the'mold, andhence the mold employed may be of a somewhat higher heat conductivitythan that employed in the first type of operation.

l/Vith the third process, which is preferable 1- under most conditions,practically no adjustment of the metal, either longitudinally orcircumferentially of the mold is necessary 5 after it is poured into themold. The metal is poured from the end of a pouring trough, which moveslongitudinally with respect to the rotating mold. Such movement,together with the rotation of the mold, builds up the metal on theinterior of the mold insuccessive and spirally related columns. Eachturn of the spiral column must be deposited before the preceding turnhas solidified, and thus adjacent columns may coalesce and insure acasting of unlform thickness.

Under most conditions it is desirable that the object cast be of uniformthickness, and* to vary the thickness along the length of the object,which is particularly true in the casting of pipe where the barrel is ofuniform thickness, but Where the ends may require a structure of greaterthickness. For this type of casting the third casting operation ispreferable.

While a close control of the amount of metal poured is necessary in anyonev of the different operations, it is particularly essential in thecase of the last described method.

The thickness of the casting is a function of the speed of th'e rotationof the mold, the rate at which. the trough traverses the mold (in thethird method), and the amount of metal discharged into the .mold Avariation in any one of these factors will result in a casting ofnon-uniform thickness.

Heretofore much difficulty has been eX- i perienced in controlling themetal, and vae riations during a single casting operation of the amountof metal poured has been frequent which have resulted in defectivecastings;

The ladles previously employed have also been open to serieus objection,in that it has been difficult to clean the ladles after an operation orseries of operations. Unless the amount of metal introduced into a ladleis closely re gulated, after a casting operation a residue o moltenmetal remains Within the ladle. If this is not immediately removed, the

Another object is .to devise a centrifugal casting process.

Yet another object is to provide a ladle.

A further object of this invention is to lpro-` ose- -ly the dischargeof its contents.

vide a ladle and means for regulating c And a stillfurther object istoprovide a ladle for a casting a paratus that may readily be emptied ofmo ten metal after a casting operation and that may be easily andquickly dismantled. 1

To accomplish the above and? other important objects as will more fullyappear hereinafter, my invention in general comprises a container thatmay readily be dismantled, and means for expelling the contents of thecontainer at a determined rate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numeralsindicate corresponding parts, but wishing it to be distinctly understoodthat the showing is exemplary merely, and that the scope of my inventionis to be in nowise limited by the embodiments therein depicted: y.

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a casting apparatus.

Figure 2 is a view of the charging end of a ladle.

Figure 3 is a view of the ladle in position for cleaning.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the ladle and proximate end of thepouring trou h.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a view along the line 6'6 of Figure 4 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 7 shows the ladle with a modified f form of device forcontrolling a back pressure in the gas line.

Referring moreparticularly to Figure 1,

there is shown a ladle having a base plate 1,

resting upon four uprights 2, which form part of a support 3 for theladle and a pour- 4 ing trough.

The base plate 1 supports a casing 5 for the ladle. This casing 5 ispreferably rectangular, although under suitable circumstances its shapemay be modified. Outwardly projecting flanges 6, drilled with aperturesfor the reception of bolts or rivets, surround the top.

of the casing 5. Outwardly projecting flanges 7 are also provided at thebase of the casing 5, and rest upon the base plate 1. The

flanges 7 and the base plate 1 are secured together by means of bolts8,rivets, or 'other trunnions 9.

suitable means.

On the sides of the casing 5, above the center 'of gravityl of theassembled ladle, are

T ese trunnions are provided with anges 11 through which rivets 12, orother suitable. securing means, extend to fasten the trunnions tothe-casing 5.v Annular grooves 13 areprovided in the trunnions 9 and areadapted to receive hooks or other appropriate supporting means as willbe hereinafter pointed out. It will therefore be seen that by engagingthe trunnions 9 with proper engaging means the ladle may be raised andsupported pivotally, so that it maybe tipped to empty the ladle.

Portions of the front and rear walls of the casing 5 are cut away toform a charging port 14 and a discharge port 15. The purpose of theseopenings will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

1 pressure to the ladle,

A lining 16, composed of suitable refractory material is provided withinthe casing 5. A linin 17 is also provided on the base plate-1. hisrefractory material is able to withstand the high temperatures to whichthe ladle is subjected when molten metal is introduced.

A cover plate 18 rests upon the outwardly extending flanges 6, and issecured thereto by means of bolts 19 which may be readily re.-

moved. An aperture 21 is provided in the.

joint is enthreaded a section of pipe 26.-

On the section 26 there is mounted a manually operable valve 27, adaptedto be regulated to control the pressure in the system. The pipe 24 isvalso provided with a valve 28, which governs the admission of a fluid tothe pipe. This system arrangement serves to convey air or any other gas,und-er its operation being more specifically pointed out hereinafter.The pipe 24 is swivelled at a point beyond the valve 28, so that it maybe rotated about its swivelling point and beyond the vertical planes ofthe ladle. The piping in the system is large enough to be substantiallyfrictionless, and the pressure throughout the system is. thereforeuniform. -By system I mean all of the piping on the low pressure side ofthe valve 28, and the chamber of the la le.

Ony the rear of the casin 5 there is aixed va charging spout 29. Thlschargin spout comprises a metal casing 31 having si e members 32 and 33,and a slanting wall 34. The wall 32 has an outwardly projecting verticalflange 35 and an-outwardly projecting horizontal iiang'e 36 at its base.The side- 33 has a flange 37 that extends vertically along the edge ofthe wall adjacent the casing 5, and a base iange 38. The casing 31 issecured to the casing 5 by means of bolts 39, that extend through theianges 35 and 37 into the casing 5. iiange 41 is provided at the base ofthe slanting wall 34, and this iange, together with flanges 36 and 38,is secured to the base plate 1 by means of bolts 42.

Within the-casmg 31 there fits a refractory lining 43. Inte ral withthis lining is a section 44 of the re ractory material which restsagainst the outside of the casing 5. It will be observed that the lining44 extends above the top of the charging spout 29, and iits snuglyagainst the under side of flange 6. An opening 45 is provided in thelining 44 which corresponds to the charging port 14 in size. It will be.observed that the lining 16 extends beneath the casing 5 at the chargingport 14, and that the linings 43 and 44 lll make a tight joint With thecasing 5 and the linings 16 and 17. This tight fit is impo-rtant inorder to prevent an of the molten metal 'seeping into the joint ormed bythe linings.

Molten metal 1s poured into the charging spout 29, and passes throughthe charging port 14 into the chamber formed by the casing 5 and lining16. The same height of metal will obtain in the chamber as is present inthe charging spout 29.

In the front of the ladle there is provided a discharge spout 46,similar to the. charging spout 29, but terminating at an elevation belowthe top of the charging spout. The discharge spout comprises a casing47, and is provided With base flanges 48 and vertical flanges 49. Thevertical flanges 49 are secured to the casing 5 by means of bolts 5l,While bolts 52 secure the base iiange 48 and the base plate 1. Arefractory lining 53 is provided in the discharge spout, and this lininis similar-ito'the. linings 43 and 44 of the c arging spout. 1t extendsto the lower side of the iiange and is provided With an aperture 54corresponding to the outlet port 15 in the casing 5 and lining 16. Thelining 53 is provided with an outturned lip 5.5, over Which the moltenmetal is discharged.

There is shown in detail in Figure 4 a chute 56, which is positionedadjacent the lip 55,

and receives the metal discharged from the ladle. The chute 56 isadapted to ifit into a trough frame 57, which is provided with asectional lining 58. This sectional lining is of the type set forth inmy copending application, Which has now become Patent No. 1,776,540dated September 28, 1930, although 'it is of course understood thatunder certain circumstances the type of chute and trough may be varied.The chute 56 forms a tight fit with the lining 58 to prevent the seepageof any molten metal into the juncture.

The trough casing 57 is mounted on the support 3. As shown in Figure 6,studs 59, secured to the support 3, provide a berth for the troughcasing 57 Plates 61, secured to the studs 59 by means of bolts 62, orother suitable means, extend partially over the trough casing 57 andfirmly hold the trough inposition. 'Bhe extension of the trough from thesupport 3 may therefore be varied by removing the plates 61, positioningfthe trough as desired, and then securing the plate 61 to the studs 59.Variations in the proj ection of the trough from the support3 call Yfora corresponding reallocation of the chute 56 in t-he trough. This mayreadily be accomplished, for the lining 58 may be in sections, and thenecessarysections may be .1nserted or removed so that the chute 5.6 Willalways be positioned under the lip 55 of the discharge spout.

The trough casing 57 is,y provided with a discharge spout 63, which ispreferably o-f the type shown and described in my above men- -pressedair or gas is admitted to tioned Patent No. 1,77 6,540, although undersome conditions the spout may be of a modified form.

Y.I have shown diagrammatically inFigure 1 a mold and its associatedmechanism. A carriage 64, provided with Wheels 65, rotatably supports amold 66. By means/bf a suitable driving. device 67, and necessarygearing (not shown), the mold is rotated Within the carriage 64. Thecarriage 64 runs on a track 68Il on which track may also be positionedthe support 3. It is of course obvious that alterationsmay be shown inthis structure Vto meet the exigencies of a particular situation.

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a device for removing the ladle fromthe support 3. This device comprises a chain 69 that supports tvvo arms71. On the ends of the arms are hooks 72 adapted tof engage the grooves13 of the trunnions 9. By positioning the hooks 72 in t-he grooves,there is prevented any transverse displacement of the ladle With re'-spect to the arms 71, but pivoting of the ladle on the trunnions isunrestricted.

As shown in Fig. 3, the ladle may be tilted in order to pour out anysurplus metal at the completion of a casting operation, but the v ladleis normally maintained in an upright .has already been pointed out, thesolidiication of metal Within the ladle seriously impedes the efficientoperation of the device, for it not onlyadheres to the Walls of theladle but also the ports are liable to be clogged by the metal.

In Figure 7, there is shown a vmodification of my invention,particularly adapted when it is desired to automatically control thepressure existing Within the chamber. Comthe .system through the valve28 (see Fig. 4). On the section of pipe 26, there is suitably .fas-

tened in a fluid and pressure tight fit a flexible conduit 73. Thisconduit is joined to a Well, tube or pipe 74 closed at its top as at 75.The junction of the conduit 73 and the tube or Well 74 should be fluidand pressure tight to prevent the escape of any of the contained gas. Bymeans of a hook 76, or other suitablevmeans, the tube or Well 74 issuspended from a cable 77. This cable passes over a sheave 78 rotatableupon an 'axle 79, and is' Wound upon a drum 80. The drum 80 is rotatablymounted'mpon bearings 81, and is driven lby a motor 82, or otheralternative means.

The Well 74 may be lowered into a body of liquid 83, contained in areceptacle 84. It is of course to be understood that my invention alsocontemplates a device in which the Well is maintained stationary and thelevel of the liquid body 83 varied. Assuming that a given quantity ofgas or air is being admitted to the system, the pressure of this body ofgas will be dependent upon the extent to which the tube or well 74 issubmerged in the liquid 83. If the relative position of the well 74 andthe surface of liquid 83 remains fixed, andair is continuously admittedto the system through the valve 28, a constant pressure, depending uponthe position of the well 74, will exist within the system because of theescape of surplus air through the well 74 and liquid 83. As the well 74is lowered within the liquid 83, the u pressure within the system willbe raised as the resistance to escape of the gas is increased byaugmenting the hydrostatic head. As above pointed out, the pressurethroughout the system is uniform, for the pipes are substantiallyfrictionless.

.The drum may be either lowered at a uniform rate, or at a varyingVKrate. If the latter is desired, the drum maly7 be of irregularycircumference, or the speed of the motor may be varied.

From. the foregoing the operation of my invention is obvious: Molten-metal is deposited in the charging spout 29. It passes through thecharging port 14 i-nto the chamber of the ladle and as well intothe'discharge port 46.- With a uniform pressure upon the surface of themetal in these three compartlments, the liquid metal level will be atthe same height yin ,each compartment. Molten metal is poured into thecharging spout until P the desired height is obtained.

. I Will describe first the form shown in Figure 7. The valve 28 isopened, and an air or a gas under pressure is' thereby admitted to thechamber through the pipes 24 and 22. The rate of admission of this gasis such as to produce a gentle i'ow but not sufficient j to set up anyfriction in the system, and thus create any appreciable pressure whenthe well 74 is raised above the surface of the liquid 83. Then uponoperating the motor 82 and the drum 80, the well is lowered at a prefdetermined rate. Upon contacting with the surface of the liquid 83, aresistance to escape is lset up on the gas enteringv the system.Pressure is immediately established in the system equal to thisresistance to escape and the pressure is increased directly proportionalto the rate atwhich the well 74 is being immersed. p

The eHect of this increase in pressure in the'ladle is to lower themetal in the chamber 5 and to raise-the levels of the metal in thecharging spouts and dischargingspout. -But as the piping of the systemhas been made suiiiciently large to preventfriction and level pressuredilferences, the head of metal, due to differences between levels in thechamber and the discharge spout ofthe ladleawillv alson to the increaseof volumedue to eXpansion of the gas, there will be'x no increase inpressure and consequently the rate of flow o fzmetal will not beaffected by this expanslon.

The operation of the form of device shown in Figure 4 is theoreticallythe same as that governing the o eration of the apparatus shown inFigure At the commencement of the pouring operation, valve 28 is openedto admit to the system a stream of gas, the rate, however, not beingenough to cause any friction. As the pressure within the system is builtup by the admission of this gas, the exact pressure desired is.controlled' by the operation of valve 27, which serves to permit theescape of gas in excess of the amount necessary to establish thepressure required.

As the operation continues, it is necessary that the pressure within thesystem be increased, and consequently the valve 27 is manually turned todecrease the amount of gas that escapes.

After gas is admitted-to the ladle, it is heated up andconsequently-expands. Because of this, a greater volume must bepermitted to escape to compensate for this eX-` ansion, but experimentshave shown that the total volume of gas esca-ping may be sufiicientlylarge so that the comparatively small increase, due to expansion, willnot increase the pressure in the system and thereby vary the flow ofmetal other than would be expected by the manipulation of the valve. Asthe pressure increases the metal within the chamber is forced therefromthrough the openings 14 and 15.` The liquid level within the chargingspout 29 and discharging spout 46 therefore rises. `As this continuesthe metalrises tothe lip 55 and overflows into the chute 56. t passesfrom. the chute through the trough to the spout 63 where it is pouredinto the mold 66, which is rotating. As the metalis poured from thespout 63, the carriage 64 moves away from the support 3, and thismovement, together with the rotation of the mold 66, causes the columnYof metal discharged from the spout 63 to be built up on the interiorsurface of the mold in spirals.

It will be lobserved that the charging spout 29 is higher than dischargespout 46, so that,

while the metal may overflow the lip 55 of the discharge spout, therecan be no overflow of the metal from the charging spout 29. From time totime during `a casting operation additional molten metal may beintroduced into the ladle by pouring into the spout 29 a fresh supply.This is of considerable value, for in a centrifugal casting process,

the timing of the various steps is closely regulated, .and a loss oftime is always to be avoided. By my invention the operation may continuewithout interruption so far as the ladling process is concerned.

When the casting operation ceases the pipe joint 23 is loosened, and thepipe 24 swung about its point of swivel (not shown) so that it is clearof the ladle. The arms 71 are then brought into position, and the hooks72 engage the trunnions. The ladle may now be taken to any suitableplace where it is tipped;

as shown in Figure 3, and the molten metal residue poured therefrom,thus preventing solidication of the metal remaining after a castingoperation.

If, however, it is impossible to empty the ladle before a portion of itscontents solidiies,

the ladle may be readily dismantled by re#` moving the bolts'19 andtaking oil the cover plate 18. The charging^ and discharging l spouts,together with their linings, may also be easily removed by loosening thebolts 39 and 51 respectively. When the cover plate 18, the chargingspout 29 and the discharging spout 46 are removed, the interior of theladle and the inlet and outlet orifices 14 and 15 are accessible, andmay be easily cleaned. The spouts may also be cleaned when the ladle isthus taken down. y The advantages of my invention'will be apparent fromthe foregoing. I have provided an apparatus that is economic toconstruct, and the operation of which is eX` ltremely simple. Unskilledlabor' cansafely be entrusted with the management of my device. 5

The ladle is susceptible to a nicety of control by means of the valves28 and -27, or the device shown in Fig. 7, and once having been set inoperation, the predetermined amount of metal to be discharged isassured.

have also shown a ladle device that may readily be cleaned and fromwhichv all excess metal may be removed before it has an opportunity tofreeze. It is also constructed so that it may be quickly dismantled, andany metal that does adhere to the ladle may be easily scraped therefrom.Y

While I have shownv herein' a preferable embodiment of my invention, Iwishit to be distinctly understood that various modifications may bemade in this particular embodiment without exceeding the scope of theappended claims, by which, together with the prior art, I wish myinvention to be alone limited. 00 I claim:

1. A'casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a dischargespout incommunication with said chamber and terminating above theinitial level of the molten metal in the ladle, a charging spout incommunication with said chamber and terminating above the dischargespout and means for introducing a gas under pressure into said Jchamberto force the molten metal from the discharge spout. v

2. A casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a dischargespout in communication with said chamber and terminat- 'ing above theinitial level ofthe molten metal in the ladle, a charging spout inunobstructed communication with said chamber and terminating above thedischarge spout and means for introducing a gas under pressure into saidchamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout, saidcharging and dis-V charge spouts both being 1n communication with thechamberwhen charging and when discharging molten metal from the chamber.

3. A pneumatic ladle, comprising a chamber for molten metal, a chargingspout and a discharging spout in communication with said chamber, aconduit connected with said chamber forvintroducing a gas under pressureinto said chamber 'for forcing molten metal into the discharge spout,means associated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of thegas within said chamber, said means comprising. a container for aliquid, a gas bell mounted in said container and having a portionimmersed in said liquid, a conduit communicatingwith the upper portionof said bell and with said lirst mentioned conduit, and means connectedwith the bell for adjusting the position of said bell in the liquid forcontrolling the pressure inl said 10C ladle chamber. p

4. A ladling device comprising a lchamber for molten metal, removablecharging and discharge spouts 'communicating with the chamber,fa conduitcommunicating with the chamber forintroducing a gas to the chamberyforforcing molten metal through said discharge spout and meansassociatedwith said conduit for relieving the back pressure of gas insaid chamber.

5. A ladling device comprising a receptacle for molten metal, a chargingspout communieating with the lower portion of said receptacle, adischarge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle,a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing a` gastherein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spout-andmeans associated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of gas insaid receptac1e.""120 6. A ladling device comprising a receptacle formolten metal, a charging spout communieating with the lower portion ofsaid receptacle, a discharge spout communicating with the lower portionof said receptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle forintroducing' a gas therein for forcing molten metal out through saiddischarge spout, a body of liquid located exteriorly of the receptacle,a cylinder having a closed end and an opened end positioned in saidliquid with the open end submerged, a conduit connectmeans for varyingthe degree of submergence of the cylinder in the liquid for regulatingthe gas pressure in the receptacle.

7. A ladling device comprising a recep; tacle for molten metal, acharging spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle,a discharge spout communicating with the lower portion of saidreceptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducinga gas therein for forcing molten metal out through said dischargespoilt, a chamber having a variable volume in communication with saidconduit and means for varyingthe volume of said chamber to regulate thepressure in said receptacle.

8. A ladling device comprising a receptacle for molten metal,.a chargingspout communieating with the lower portion of said receptacle, adischarge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle,a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing a gastherein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spout, a

body of liquid, a cylinder having a closed end and an open endpositioned in said liquid with the open end submerged, a conduitconnecting the upper portion of the interior of the cylinder with theconduit communicating with the receptacle, a cable connected to saidcylinder and a power driven drum for said cable, operable for varyingthe degree of submergence of the cylinder to control the pressure insaid receptacle,

9. A pneumatic ladle, comprising a chamber for molten metal,l a chargingspout and a discharging spout in communication with said chamber, aconduit connected with said chamber for introducing a gas under pressureinto said chamber for forcing molten metal into the discharge spout,means vassociated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of thegas within said chamber', said means comprising a container for aliquid, a gas well mounted in said container and having a portionimmersed in said liquid, a conduit communicating with the upper portionof said well and with said first mentioned conduit, a cable connected tothe upper portion of said well, a power driven drum adapted to raise andlower the cable and well for varying the degree of emergence of the wellinthe liquid for controlling the pressure of gas in said chamber.

10. 'A casting ladle comprising a chamber in the chamber as the level ofthe molten metal in the chamber drops.

11. A casting ladle comprising a lchamber adapted to contain moltenmetal, a discharge spout in communication with said chamber, a conduitfor introducing a` gas under pressure into said chamber for forcingmetal contained therein into the discharge spout, a well adjustablypositioned in a body of water for varying the volume in said well, aconduit placing the interior of said well in communication with saidfirst mentioned conduit and means for varying the degree of emergence ofsaid well in the liquid 4for controlling the pressure of gas in saidchamber. 1

12. A casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a dischargespout in communication with said chamber and terminating above the levelof the molten metal, means .for introducing gas under lpressure intosaid chamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout, andmeans for progressively increasing the pressure of the gas within thechamber as the level of the molten metal in the chamber drops.

13. A casting ladle comprising a cham- L means comprising controllingmechanism for permitting the escape of excess gas.

14. A casting ladle comprising a charnber for molten metal, a dischargespout in communication with said chamber and terminatin above the levelof the molten metal, means or introducing gas under pressure into saidchamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout and means forprogressively increasing the pressure of the gas within the chamber asthe level of the molten metal in the chamber drops, said meanscomprising a controlling valve for permitting the escape of excess gas.

In testimony whereof'I affix my signature.

FRANK G.- CARRINGTON.

for molten metal, a discharge spout in ,com-` munication with saidchamber and terminating abovethe initial level of the molten metal,means for intrducin gas under pressure into said chamber to orce themolten metal from the discharge spout, and means for increasing thepressure ofthe gas with-

